Finding Purpose, Hope and Joy Through Jesus’ BirthIsampula

Day 16 – John the Baptist’s Joy

God chose an unborn baby to express joy about the coming Messiah! He didn’t choose a world leader or a famous religious leader. He chose an unborn child—Jesus’ cousin John.

Jesus’ mother, Mary, travelled to Elizabeth’s home to visit. As soon as Mary entered the room, baby John leapt for joy inside of his mother’s womb. He proclaimed the Messiah as an unborn baby.

But that’s not where the miracle started. His parents, Zechariah, a Levitical priest, and Elizabeth were elderly. They weren’t able to have children, but an angel told Zechariah that he would have a son. The angel declared John will “be great in the sight of the Lord. He . . . will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, . . . to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:15-17). After Elizabeth gave birth, Zechariah said, “You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him” (Luke 1:76).

Years later, John’s voice was a lone voice in the wilderness (John 1:23). He was the one who proclaimed that the Messiah was coming! He shared the good news of Jesus to people who desperately needed a Savior! His goal was to introduce people to Jesus—unafraid to speak the truth.

The joy of John the Baptist came from fulfilling his passion in ministry. His purpose was to proclaim the Messiah. We can follow his example by faithfully sharing Jesus with this culture. John’s life wasn’t always easy, but he was obedient to share his joy and proclaim the truth of Jesus!